10 Points for Excelling in Ramadaan !

Remember that you will never be too ready for the month of Ramadaan. No matter how much you try and how much you think you have done, Ramadaan deserves much more, so always remember that you are never too ready for the month of Ramadaan.

Ramadaan is an annual opportunity to review our goals in life. We adjust our schedules and know we will spend longer hours in the Masajid and exhausted during the days. It is an exclusive opportunity for Muslims every year. As Muslims, we always feel that we are under achieving what we should be doing in Ramadaan, and we all have the feeling that we could have done better and should have done more. At the end of the month, we regret so much of the time we spent wasted. There is always a chance for improvement every single Ramadaan.

So let us discuss some simple art of excelling in Ramadaan:

1. Have the Hunger for Success:

Imam Al-Bukhari was one day asked about the medicine that would help people memorize, and he said, "I have nothing except for the ardent desire.' If you truly and really have the ardent and burning desire and hunger to succeed, then you will achieve it. The Ulema' said that whatever expectations you have, you will achieve at least 80%. Imam Al-Bukhari excelled in that field because he had the ardent desire and hunger for success. Ibn 'Abbas was a young man when the Prophet (saws) passed away, but the amount of knowledge he collected made him the top of his field and he was an expert in the interpretation of the Qur'an. He was once asked, "How were you able to collect all this knowledge in such a short time?' He said, "I had an inquisitive tongue and the heart that comprehends.' He had the ardent desire and didn't waste his time. Don't make failure an option in Ramadaan. Don't give yourself an exit. Many people start making excuses, and once you give yourself and excuse to fail, you will lose success. Never give yourself that excuse and always have that hunger to succeed.

2. Set Your Goals. Make sure that these goals are very high:

Fear Allah. In order to help us achieve the path of success, he gave us the ultimate goal: to reach Al-Firdaws Al-A'la. In many Ayaat, Allah says to race and rush. Allah is helping us set our goals and making our goal Jannat Al-Firdaws Al-A'la. The Prophet (saws) when he met the Ansar atbayat'l-'Aqabah,... The Muhajireen asked him, "Ya Rasulullah, what do we expect out of this?' The Prophet (saws) said, "Jannah.' That is the ultimate goal and should be a very high and lofty goal.

When you start Ramadaan, set your goals as high as you can. If part of your goals is to achieve righteousness and Taqwa, then you have to start making plans on how to do so by adding more good deeds to your schedule. If part of your goals is to pray Qiyam'l-Llayl every night in the Masjid, then commit yourself. If you fall short a little from achieving these lofty goals, they will still be higher than what you did last year.

3. Build Confidence in the Month of Ramadaan:

Some people come with high expectations for themselves such as finishing the Qur'an ten times and praying night prayer every night. Build confidence that you can achieve these goals. Set a plan and strategy on how to achieve these goals and build confidence that you can do that. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn Al-'As was a young man at the time of the Prophet (saws). He used to finish the Qur'an every single night, and the Prophet (saws) was surprised. He (saws) came to him and told him it was a righteous and good deed, but he should recite the Qur'an in one month (this is besides Ramadaan, by the way, and Ramadaan is a special occasion when you can do more). Have the confidence that you will achieve your goals and have a strategy and plan.

4. Do What You Love to Do in Ramadaan:

There are so many good deeds that you can do. Some people love to feed the poor and cook food and give to others. Others invite a lot of people to their house or take food to the Masjid. Other people love to read the Qur'an a lot and dedicate more time. Other people love to do Salaah and Qiyam'l-Layl. Some people love spending more time in the Masjid and others love to spend more time in seclusion. Some people push themselves so hard in what is not what they enjoy in acts of 'ibadaah and may force themselves to read the Qur'an more and are too exhausted to do Adhkar or Taraweeh, and this is not a smart plan. Do what you really love to do. Choose and select the good deeds you enjoy doing and increase them more and more. Make your plan around these deeds that you love and enjoy doing. The Prophet (saws) recommended us to achieve that which is little but continuous. Many people love to start Ramdaan with as many good deeds as they can, which may be too much. Take it easy and start with what you enjoy. As you build momentum, add more. The whole point is to be proactive, so start your plan and choose the good deeds you enjoy and start working on it.

5. Study the Successful and Learn From the Best:

Experts in the field of success teach this to people. Why is our 'ibadaah less when it comes to studying from the experts and learning from the best and successful? What do we mean by this? The 'ulema' say, "Stories at tales are like the gems of Paradise.' When you hear a story, you enjoy it so much because you can relate to it. Allah says, "We sent you the best of stories…' At the end of the story of Yusuf, Allah said, "There is in the stories instructions for men of understanding.' When you learn from the successful and from the best, it will encourage you and raise your morale. Achieving all of these great goals has been done by the people before you.

The Sahabah were the best examples after the Prophet (saws). Check the stories of the successful in Ramadaan – How did they succeed? What did they do? Read some of the biographies of the people and the great scholars and how they spent their time in Ramadaan.

Remember, keep these stories with you throughout the month of Ramadaan, and when you feel weaker and weaker, go back to the stories and remind yourself.

6. Be in the Company of the Successful Ones:

The previous point was about people you learn about in history: the Prophet (saws), the Sahabah. Many people say that this is theoretical. Look for people around you in your own community who can help you achieve these lofty goals. You will definitely find one or two people around you. You should go and look for those people. Remember that your companions in Ramadaan can help you go higher in goals or can pull you down. Habits are contagious. Look for high achievers in the month of Ramadaan. If you always associate yourself with high achievers, you will go higher in your goals. The Prophet (saws) said, "The example of the good and bad companion is the example of the one who sells perfume and the blacksmith. He may give you something good for free or you may buy something, but at least you will get a nice smell from him. The blacksmith will blow smoke and he may burn your clothes or at least you will smell something bad.' [Sahih Bukhari] The same is with those you associate with during Ramadaan. Are you going to associate with those who will encourage you to watch TV or play cards? Or will you associate with those who will help you go higher? Look for those who are high achievers and associate with them throughout the month of Ramadaan as much as you can.

7. Go All Out and Work Hard:

When you set your goals, don't just set them to achieve them at your convenience or when you have spare time. If you are serious about achieving these goals, make them a priority. Go all out to achieve these goals.

People who go to the gym know that once they have achieved the ten reps, they have to add one more. They are excited that they have passed their regular achievement.

Put priorities during the day and night. The Prophet (saws) have reminded us in so many Ahadith how to move on from one level to the next. When Prophet (saws) instructed the Sahabah on that one night that is laylat'l-qadr which is better than the worship of 1,000 months, the Sahabah would worship in the hope of achieving this night. And when the Prophet (saws) told them to look for it in the last ten nights. The Sahabah became even more focused. Some of them became tired and a little lazy, and to help them achieve more, the Prophet (saws) told them it was in the odd number of the last ten nights. So, go all out and work hard. It happens only once a year. Only Allah knows if you will even survive today. Make this coming Ramadaan the best Ramadaan by being more focused and put so much effort in achieving better goals.

8. Be Prepared and Adaptable:

Be prepared to change your schedule. Many people are effective the first few days but then feel that they are losing it and then lose momentum completely and say they can't do it. Instead of slightly changing their schedule, they try to start over with a completely new schedule and then they quit. Expect yourself to change plans. It may not be a dramatic change, but you need to adapt. It is better for you than completely quitting the program over and over again.

Never put your programs back to back and make them so crowded. When there is an emergency, the whole program will be broken up. Expect yourself to do some changes, which will make it less stressful for you. If you start reading five Juzz every single night and then realize that they are too much and then decrease to three Juzz and then you are short two Juzz. As you try to make up and do seven, you start to lose hope. Expect yourself to adapt and change. Do something reasonable every single night like reading three Juzz and move on with your schedule. Don't simply cancel the good deeds you have started just because you think you are falling behind. You may fall sick or have an emergency to travel or relatives may come to visit. Expect to change some of your plans.

9. Remind Yourself of the Virtue of What You are Doing:

Allah says in the Qur'an: "Reminders benefit the believers.' During the month of Ramadaan, you are going to feel a little tired and exhausted. Go to someone who you think can help you remind yourself. Ask them for advice. Remind yourself by spending a few minutes each night in Dhikr and Du'aa. Read about the virtues of Fasting every now and then. For many people it becomes a cliché, but the reminder definitely benefits the believers. Keep Riyadh Al-Saaliheen handy and the Ahadith about the virtues of Ramadaan handy. Hopefully it will rejuvenate your spirit. If that doesn't work, then have someone else give you advice. If that doesn't help, attend a program in the Masjid. Revisit your goals.

10. Never Give Up!

If the Shaytaan wants anything from us, it is for us to give up on ourselves. The Shaytaan whispers that you can't do it and that you aren't the person to achieve the good deeds and you give up on doing them. How many times have you vowed after Ramadaan to wake up for Qiyam'l-Layl after Ramadaan and you never achieve it? How many times have you wanted to fast Mondays and Thursdays after Ramadaan? Allah says in Surah Yusuf: "Never give up hope of Allah's Mercy. Truly no one despairs of Allah's Mercy except those who have no faith.' Never cancel your plans in the month of Ramadaan simply because you fell a little short or a little weak. Even until your last breath and last seconds in this word, you are required and asked to do something that is good. In the Musnad of Imam Ahmad, the Prophet (saws) said in a Hadith of Anas: "If the Day of Judgment is established and you have a plant in your hand, if you are able to put it in the earth before the Day of Judgment completely starts, then do it." With Allah, you will benefit. Even if it is the last second of the month of Ramadaan. What were you doing last year? People were getting ready to finish and prepare for Eid. It is one of the blessed moments. Focus on Du'aa and Dhikr and give charity. Once Ramadaan is over, what was multiplied in Ramadaan will no longer be multiplied. Never give up even if you fall short and behind. Continue doing good deeds until the end of the month, even if it is the last night. Remember that you are dealing with Allah, and Allah is the One who rewards. With Allah, it is absolutely worth every effort that you are doing.

Recap:

It is never too late to prepare for Ramadaan.You will never be too ready for the month. Plant some principles in your mind and heart so that you have something to achieve. Have the hunger of success. Have the ardent desire to succeed in Ramadaan. Do you have that or do you think that you are not a strong achiever? Expect to succeed more and have a hunger for success.

Set your goals very high. Allah has set your goals higher than you can imagine and is helping you set your goals high. Go and try to achieve these goals. Build confidence that you can achieve these goals. Don't beat yourself down. If you fail once, it does not mean you are a failure.

Do what you love in Ramadaan. You may not be able to achieve anything, but start by achieving that which you like. If you like giving charity, then give more. If you like to read the Qur'an or spend more time in the Masjid, do what you love the most.

Study the successful and learn from the best. Read the stories of the Sahabah and the Prophet (saws) and how much they achieved in Ramadaan. Learn from them and learn their techniques.

Be in the company of the successful ones. Associate yourself with good company. Pick one or two people who are high achievers. Habits are contagious. If you associate yourself with low achievers, most likely that is what you will achieve.

Go all out and work so hard. It is once in perhaps your lifetime. It could be your last Ramadaan. Only Allah knows. Make this opportunity like your first and last opportunity. You will definitely do your best and put every single effort to make it successful, particularly in the last ten nights.

Be adaptable and expect changes in plans. As you try to achieve your plans, some emergencies may come up, but it doesn't mean you should quit. Adapt and move on based on the new change. Never cancel the schedule or program.

Remind yourself of the virtue of what you are doing. Keep handy the books on the virtues of Fasting. Allah says in a Hadith Qudsi: "All the good deeds of the son of Adam are for himself except for fasting which is exclusively for Me, and I shall reward for it." If you know that Allah is giving the reward, you know that it will be beyond your imagination.

Never ever give up, even if it is the last hour in the month of Ramadaan. Make sure to use it wisely.

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